The Room on Rue Amélie(61)

“But I thought we were working on getting them out.”

“The best we can hope for now is that they’re treated humanely wherever they go.”

“What will I tell Charlotte?”

“I think she’s stronger than you’re giving her credit for.”

Ruby stared at him. “How would you know that? You’ve barely spoken with her.”

“The boy who delivered her papers? I’ve known him since he was very small, and though he’s only fifteen, he’s an integral part of our operation. He met Charlotte, and he spoke very highly of her resolve to help us.”

“Aubert, she’s just a child.”

“So is Lucien. But war makes us all into something different. It has changed you, hasn’t it?”

She looked away. “I won’t allow it, Aubert. I’m responsible for her.”

He glanced over her right shoulder. “Perhaps it won’t be up to you.”

Ruby turned, following his gaze, and saw Charlotte standing there, staring at them. “Are you here about my parents? What’s happened to them?”

“They’ve been deported,” Aubert said, watching her face. “To a camp in Poland.”

“Charlotte—” Ruby began, taking a step toward the girl.

But Charlotte held up a hand to stop her. “How can I be sure they’re alive?” she asked. “How do I know you’re not just trying to give me false hope?”

Aubert looked her in the eye. “Because, my dear, war is no time to deceive the people we are supposed to trust.”

“You hardly know me. You can’t possibly trust me.”

“Lucien said you were brave.”

Ruby could see color rising to the girl’s cheeks. “He doesn’t really know me either.”

“But he’s a very good observer of people,” Aubert said. “And he told me he felt you were strong and bold.”

“He said that?” Charlotte looked startled.

Aubert nodded. “Look, Charlotte, we have a few sources inside Drancy. By all accounts, your parents have been treated relatively well so far.”

“You’re certain?” Charlotte asked.

Ruby hated to hear how hopeful Charlotte sounded, because for all his posturing about honesty, what if Aubert was just saying what he knew the girl needed to hear? There was a part of her that wanted to believe him, but there were too many questions. What were the Germans doing with all the people they were shipping east?

“As certain as possible. Now,” Aubert said. “The next order of business. The two of you must move to a new apartment.”

Ruby and Charlotte exchanged looks. “What?” Ruby asked.

“We feel that Charlotte staying here with you creates a serious problem. The neighbors know who she is; you won’t be able to pass her off as a cousin if you stay. All it takes is one person to report her in exchange for a few ration cards. You would likely be arrested; and heaven forbid you have a pilot staying with you at the time. The line would be exposed. We can’t risk that.”

“But . . . what if pilots can’t find me at my new address?”

Aubert looked confused. “Of course the contacts who send them to Paris will simply direct them to your new home.”

“Yes, of course,” Ruby mumbled, her eyes stinging with tears she knew she couldn’t cry. How would Thomas find her if he ever made his way back? But protecting Charlotte was a thousand times more important, and Ruby knew that she didn’t have a choice.

Aubert was watching her carefully, as if he suspected what she was thinking. But he couldn’t possibly. “We’ve found you a place near the Arc de Triomphe, across the river.”

“Already?”

“It has a space to hide pilots inside the apartment. The landlord is one of us. He’ll be able to help if you ever need assistance. You have to go as soon as possible.”

“Well.” Ruby forced a smile. “I suppose we’d better pack, then.”

“I’ll leave you to it. I’ll send some fellows to help you with your things the day after tomorrow, if that’s agreeable.”

“Yes, fine,” Ruby said. “Thank you.”

He disappeared out the door before she could say anything else.

“You’re worried about him finding you,” Charlotte said softly when Aubert was gone. Ruby had been standing in the center of the living room, staring off into space, for at least a minute.

“Who?”

“Thomas. The pilot.”

Ruby began to protest, but Charlotte merely shook her head.

“I think he felt that way about you too,” she said. “And he’ll come back. My parents will too. You just have to believe.”

Ruby forced a smile, but instead of the words making her feel better, they made her feel worse. She had her doubts that Charlotte’s parents were coming back at all—and of course the chances she’d see Thomas again were slim. But she could deal with only so much heartbreak in one day, so she put an arm around the girl and said brightly, “What do you say we begin packing? We have a lot of work ahead of us.”



TWO DAYS LATER, THE CONTENTS of Ruby’s life in Paris were stuffed into boxes, the old apartment stripped bare. The surge of grief Ruby felt looking around at the emptiness was unexpected; her life in Paris had begun here, and it had been Marcel’s family home for generations. But the Benoit family was gone now, and she wasn’t meant to be a part of it anymore. It was time to go.